“People say ‘Marry Juana’ blew me.” Naira begins through a disarming chuckle, that would become a signature tell before one of his many record-straightening statements throughout our day together. “People say ‘Issa Goal’ blew me. People say EFCC blew me. But it was still me. The whole time, it was me. I didn’t stop, I kept going. If I stopped after ‘Issa Goal’ I wouldn’t be here right now. If I stop now, I will probably be irrelevant in a few years. I can’t stop.” 

In 2018, Naira Marley embarked on a chaotic two-year run which included; court cases, police raids, a stint in prison, scene-stopping visuals, and sold-out shows – all punctuated by a string of inescapable and undeniable hit records. By the end of it, he became arguably the biggest, and definitely the most divisive star the country had seen in years. 

This is the Inside Life, told during the peak of Nigeria’s most misunderstood superstar. Read more here

Photography: Manny Jefferson 

Cover Model: Ajiri Oghene
Models: Naomi Offor, Dian Kings

Stylist: Momo H-O
Make-Up: Nima Fashipe

Videography: Djaji Prime, Omowunmi Ogundipe
Production: Ebuka Nwobu, Chisom Nwobu
Photography Assistant: Lateef Salvador
Production Assistant: Ademola Eshinlokun

Location: Freedom Park

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NATIVE TIME ISSUE: MOWALOLA THE MANY FACED GIRL